Key Takeaways:
- Strasbourg announced the arrival of Hugo Oliveira as head coach on Sunday after Gary O’Neil’s unexpected departure last month
- O’Neil joined Ipswich on 26 June, only six months after taking charge of the Ligue 1 club
- Strasbourg will begin their Ligue 1 season away at Marseille on the weekend of 21-23 August
Managerial Changes at Strasbourg
Strasbourg confirmed the appointment of Portuguese manager Hugo Oliveira as their new head coach on Sunday, following the abrupt exit of Gary O’Neil last month. O’Neil, an Englishman, departed to take up the managerial position at Ipswich on 26 June after just half a year at the French club, having joined in January.
Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace are delighted to announce the arrival of Hugo Oliveira as coach of the first team 🆕💙
The press release 👇https://t.co/TvkZWgdHDH pic.twitter.com/TaMRLfUTM4
— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) July 12, 2026
Oliveira’s Background and Achievements
The club has not disclosed the duration of Oliveira’s contract. At 47, Oliveira arrives from Famalicao in Portugal’s top division – his inaugural role as a head coach. Before this, Oliveira was predominantly involved as a goalkeeping coach, notably working with the Portuguese national team, as well as Everton and Fulham in England, collaborating with Marco Silva at both clubs.
Oliveira took over at Famalicao in December 2024 and led them to a fifth-placed finish in the Primeira Liga for the 2023/24 season. This was Famalicao’s best league position since their return to the top flight six years prior.
O’Neil’s Impact on Strasbourg
Under O’Neil, Strasbourg matched domestic league ambitions by finishing eighth in Ligue 1 and reached the semi-finals of the Conference League. His tenure, though brief, saw the team from Alsace perform strongly both domestically and in continental competition.
Upcoming Fixtures
Strasbourg are set to start their Ligue 1 campaign with an away fixture at Marseille during the weekend spanning 21-23 August.
